Probably most of you have heard about Joy Behar mocking Vice President Pence’s faith on the ABC show called The View.  It caused quite a stir, and today I want to address this controversy by blogging A Biblical View. 

In case you didn’t hear Joy’s statement let me summarize.  A third party claims that Mr. Pence believes Jesus speaks to him and provides guidance. Joy responds with allegations of mental illness. She believes that talking to Jesus is one thing, but when Jesus talks to you, there is a problem.

Upon researching Behar’s religious views I saw a 2011 YouTube post when Joy was interviewed by a priest on a program called Focus on Faith. During this interview, she said she was an agnostic and that she doesn’t believe in an afterlife. However, she baptized her daughter “just in case.”  I also saw a more recent clip from The View when the women were discussing faith. Her response when asked what she believed was that she didn’t know. Sounds like an agnostic, doesn’t it?

Yet, this week on The View she claimed that she didn’t think Christians were mentally ill. If she did she herself would be mentally ill because she is a Christian. Of course, she was trying to backtrack her offensive comments about VP Pence a the time. Think she may be a little confused?

Of course, Behar is not the only comedian that mocks believers. Bill Maher disparages religion every chance he gets – and that’s a lot of chances! To sum up his view, he believes that people of faith have a neurological disorder. In his “documentary” Religulous, he scornfully takes on religion and draws conclusions such as “religion must die for mankind to live.”

While comedians and entertainers, who belittle our faith, usually work alone, there is a strong movement in our country that is turning the mocking of God into a team sport. Atheist groups are prolific e.g. American Humanist Association, Richard Dawkins Foundation, Atheists Alliance International, Center for Inquiry, Freedom From Religion Foundation, etc. This list does not begin to cover all the groups that try to reach people with their godless message.

The group called American Atheists, led by David Silverman, asserts that there are many church-going atheists. One of the goals of their organization and the group Recovery from Religion is to help these individuals “come out of the closet.” I guess it works like AA pulling you out of your spiritual addiction.

There is also a proliferation of atheist blogs such as: The Thinking Atheist, Rationally Speaking, Daylight Atheism, and Debunking Christianity to name a few.

In the United States is it particularly easy to spew your hate of Jesus because our Christian founders allowed for freedom of speech, and the atheists’ movement is using this right to maximum benefit. One promotion that is very popular is a billboard campaign. To list just a few:

Keep the Merry (with a picture of Santa Claus)    Dump the Myth (a picture of Jesus’ crucifixion)

God is an imaginary friend.

 Sadistic God, Useless Savior, 30,000 + versions of the truth, Promotes Hate, Calls it “Love.”

A picture of the nativity with words: You know it’s a myth.

 A picture of the nativity with words: Fake News

 I could go on and on describing billboards that mock our God and Savior, but there just isn’t enough room or time.

I know the atheist movement thinks it’s clever, but challenging and mocking God is not original. As Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV). Many people in the Bible didn’t fear the Lord but instead mocked and ridiculed their Creator and those who worshipped Him. Unfortunately, persecution against the Jewish people is a constant – now, historically, and I suspect in the future.

1 Samuel 17 tells the story of one of the most famous mockers of our God.  Goliath, a hated Philistine, relied on his giant size and pagan gods to protect him. The New Living Translation tells us that Goliath “strutted” in front of the Israelite army. He treated the army of Israel with contempt; therefore he was also contemptuous of almighty God.

When David arrived at the battle site to bring food to his brothers, he was appalled at how the Israelites were cowering and trembling before this mere man. Instead of calling on the Almighty, the Israelites cringed before Goliath. So, of course, Goliath mocked the Israelites’ God.

David was angry for God’s Holy Name, and he asked the question, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:26b NLT)?

David approached the giant, confident that God was with him, acknowledging that he was merely an instrument in God’s hands. He challenged Goliath, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17: 45b).

Meanwhile, Goliath cursed this young boy by his pagan gods drawing his confidence from size, strength, and weapons. Of course, we all know how this turned out. Goliath died, the Philistines ran, and the Israelites triumphed.

Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see many people mocking Jesus to His face. The ridicule and derision Jesus endured for our sake during his trial and crucifixion are hard to comprehend in our human minds.

Luke 23:11 tells how Herod and his soldiers mocked and ridiculed Jesus and garbed Him in a royal robe before returning him to Pilate. Matthew 27:41-44 documents the religious leaders and teachers mocking Jesus and telling Him to save Himself. While Mark 15:29 says that even those passing by mocked Him as He suffered and died so they can be saved.

We must accept that mocking Jesus is an activity of the past, present, and future. Jude 1: 17-19 tells us that there will be scoffers in the end times who try to create chaos among believers.

Even so, when the atheists so blatantly disrespect our Savior, my blood boils. I want to retaliate and take revenge. So what does Scripture say about how we should respond?

Let’s look at our heart first:

Matthew 5:11-12: The Bible tells us we are in league with the prophets when we are mocked. We are blessed and await a reward in heaven.

Mark 10: 33-34: Jesus said he would be mocked at the end but would rise. In other words, Jesus wins. So take solace in knowing we are on the side of victory.

Now let’s look at what the Bible says about our actions:

Luke 23:34: Before we lambast these individuals remember that Jesus forgave them, so I guess we should too. These people are extraordinarily misguided. If we saw them wandering in the street, lost and disoriented, we would help them find their way. Remember that Jesus loves the atheists too and wants all to come to salvation. Although it is difficult, we should pray that they come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Matthew 7:6: On the other hand, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said not to cast your pearls before swine. Of course, we should share the Good News whenever we have the opportunity, but we must realize that pigs will never understand the value or beauty of pearls. When it’s apparent they are not listening, and have no interest, except to argue their point; move on.

Matthew 10:14: Jesus also instructed the disciples to leave a place when they are rejected. He didn’t want them to waste time. There are too many people who need to hear about Jesus.

Romans 12:19: Here Paul instructs us not to seek revenge. That is God’s job.

Finally, what does God say about the mockers’ future:

 Galatians 6: 7-8: God is not mocked – you will sow what you reap. God will make things right, and justice will be served.

Prov. 3:34: The mockers will be the mocked. They may think they have the last laugh, but I am sure that when God does the mocking, their arrogance will disappear just like the Philistines ran for the hills.

Psalm 14:1: It is evil to say there is no God. Someday they will bow before Him and regret their foolish talk.

So the next time we hear someone mocking our faith and our God, don’t seek revenge but rejoice that you know the truth. Share the gospel; however, remember not to cast your pearls before swine. It is important to use discernment when dealing with those who mock God. Pray for their salvation because if they don’t repent they will stand before God to make an account of every careless and cruel word.

Now, before you sign off,  remember that today, instead of The View we are broadcasting A Biblical View. So please comment below on what you think about today’s blog and the controversy. You know the ladies on the show never fail to speak their minds. So share your thoughts too.

There are no devotions today. Check the site next week.